Linotype-machine.



PATENTED APR. 19, 1904.

D. D. SCOTT. LINOTYPE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED OUT. 19, 1903.

H0 MODIEL.

: v MW m Q1 Mew UNTTE STATES Patented April 19, 1904.

ATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL D. SCOTT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO MERGrEN- THALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LINOTYFE-MAC-HINE.

EJPECIFIGATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 757,685, dated April 19, '1904.

Application filed October 19, 1903.

To all when it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, DANIELD. Sco'r'r, of Boston, county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful improvement in Linotype-lvlachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to matrices for linotypc-machines -such as shown in Letters Patent Nos. 436,531, i36,532, and 557,060 and analogous machines. These matri ces, each containing in one edge one or more matrixcavities, are stored in a magazine, from which they are released successively in the order in which their characters are to appear in print and assembled in line, the composed line being subsequently transferred to amechanism for casting the sing or linotype against it.

The object of the present invention is to fa cilitatethe asscinbla'ge'oi' the'matricesin the line, to reduce the violence of theassemhling action, and to prevent-thenratficesfrom in juring one another. 9

To this end thc invention consists, essen tntlly, in a matrix having its lower end tapered or reducedin thickness, while the upperfor body portion containing the matrix proper presents parallel outer surfaces.

It also consists in a combination of these matrices with assembling devices, as hereinafter explained. 1n the accompany-ingdrawingsl have s own matrices in a form specially adapted fr use in the. Mergenthaler linotype; but it is to be unclerstoodthat my improvements are applicable to all circulating matrices used in linotype-machin'es, matrix-making machines, or

analogous typographic machines. 7

. Figure 1 represents aperspective view of a matrix-in accordance with my invention, Fig. '2 is asimilar view looking frointhfe pposite side;-,Fig. 3, anview illustrating thev manner of assembling a line of matrices; Fig. 4, a perspective view showing the matrix in a slightly-modified 'form. ,Fig. is a horizon: tel section through one end of the composed line and anincomin 'matrix. Fl et is an edge view of my matrix In the preferred form. Referring to theill ugs, Arepresents a linotype-m'atrix consisting" of a flat plate with Serial No. 177,568 (No model.)

ears or lips a at the four corners and with the 5 intaglio character or matrix proper, a, in one edge and distributing-teeth c in the upper end. It will be observed that when a series of these matrices'are assembled side by side they will present their characters in a common line. It is necessary that the side faces of the matrices shall-fit closely together when they are assemblccl'in line in order to prevent the entrance of molten metal between them during the casting operation. The oppos to sides ofthe body portion containing the matrix cavity are therefore parallel. Heretoi'ore these parallel faces have been continued to the. lower end of the matrix.

My improvement consists in hev'eling' or. cutting away the side face of the matrix, as

shown at Z) in the several figures, thereby reducing its thickness toward the lower end across its entire width, or. in other words, givingita tapered or wedge-like form at the lower end. The inclined surface in vertical section may he fiat, concave, or convex, and the re- I duction in thickness may begin at any suitable distance above the lower end, provided the parallelsurfaces remaining above are sufiicient to insure the proper locking up of the matrices in the line. r

The essence of the invention lies in reducing the thickness of the matrix atthe lower end, and it is to be understood that the extent of the reduced portion, thedegreeof in clination, and other details may hein'odified at the pleasure of the mechanic. With the ex .ception of the reduced po'rtion atthe lower end the matrices herein shown are practically S 5 identical with those now. used in the Morgenthaler liuotype-inachines of commerce.

I prefer .tojempI y my matrices in a ma chine 'of'the' 0rd inaryMergenth'aleitype, having, as shown in Fig. 3; an inclined belt 'B,-'on 0 which the'm atricesf'descend successively. from thelmagazineoverthe fixed guiding-surfaces I I (3 to -ia position-in.frontofctherota ystarwheel Drwh by; theyare pushed orward laterallyantl added to tlie' endfpfithe line in '95 course of composition,thelinaheing at the same time pushed forward in ox llerto provide an opcningforthe admission the incoming BEST AVAILABLE COPY 2 matrices. A horizontal slide E is provided,

as usual, with an upturned end to support and resist the from end of the composed line, this slide being urged constantly to the left by a spring F and retained as it advances by a friction-dog G.

smoothly and will assume their linalposition at the end of the line with a less violent actionthan the matrices made of uniform thickness in the ordinary way. It is also found that my matrices, having the reduced lower end, will pass from the dist-rilmter-bar at the top of the machine into the upper ends of the magazine-channels more readily, quickly, and certainly than those of ordinary form.

A font or set contains matrices, of widelydifiering thickness, corresponding to the widths of the characters theycontain. My improvement may be applied to all of .the matrices in the-set; but as the ditlicultics to be overcome are experienced mainly with the thicker matrices I propose under ordinary circumstances to bevel the thicker matrices only and use them in connection with thin matrices which are of uniform thickness from one end to the other, as shown in Fig. 3.

In constructing a set of matrices I propose to give theni all, those which are beveled and those which are not, approximately the same thickness at the extreme lower end in order to give the assembling devices as nearly as possible a uniform action. When a thick matrix of ordinary form enters between the star-wheel and the end of the, composed line, the effect is to advance the whole'line suddenly and violently, and in practice it is found that the momentum of the line is frequently snlticient to carry it beyond the proper point, so that t-he space left between the end of the line and the star-wheel is excessive, which 'fact leads to, difiiculties which do not arise when my matrices are employed. The beveling" or cutting away may be carried down to a line flush with the surface of the cars a, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. it is preferable, however, in'most cases to leave the beveled end slightly thicker than the ear, as shown in Fig. 4, a second or deeper cut at being made below the surface band flush, or practically so,w ith the face of the ear. \Vhcn the matrix thus constructed approaches the end of the composed line, the surface will first encounter the side of the preceding matrix and preventthe corner of the matrix from striking or battering in the thin wall of the matrix, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

It will of course be understood that in every case the parallel vertical surfaces of the matrices are to be sulliciently extensive to secure the proper locking up of the line and to permit the proper action of the expanding wedge spacers o'r justifiers commonly employed.

It .will be observed that the matrix is re duced in thickness entirely across the lower end from one edge to the other.

hat 1 claim is-- L A linotype-matrix having on one side a vcrticalface from top to bottom, and on the opopposite side aface extending vertically downward for a portion of its length and gradually reduced in thickness for the remainder of its length.

2. Afontorseries of linotype-matriccs,com-

, tions, the thicker matrices reduced in thickness at the lower end, in combination with a pushing device to assemble the matrices in line and advance the line, whereby substantially uniform action of the assembling devices is socured, notwithstanding the variation in the thickness of the incoming matrices.

5. In a linotype-machine, the combination of thick and thin l'natrices, the former reduced at their lower end, in combination with the.yielding'resistant forthe composed line, the'star-wher-il to assemble the matrices and advance the line, and means for delivering thev matrices successively to the end of the line in advance of the star-wheel.

In testimony whereof 1 hereunto set my hand, this 14th day of October, 1903, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

, DANIEL l). lCOT'l.

Witnesseu:

NV i1. M. SLINEY, \VM. 1. JonNsoN. 

